The Reverend John Wise in Essex, Massachusetts

 The Old Graveyard in Essex contains the remains of the Reverend John Wise (1652-1725), and although a potted biography is sketched out on the plaque on the table-like grave, it doesn't remark on the power of his writings. Wise wrote the satirical The Churches' Quarrel Espoused in response to Increase and Cotton Mathers' plans to institute a hierarchy for colonial churches, which was never implimented. And in 1717 he published Vindicaton of the Government of New England Churches, which, in its thesis against a ruler's perceived divine right, has been interpreted as a strong pre-revolutionary argument for colonial rights.

 The table tombstone.

'Underneath lies the body of the

REV. JOHN WISE, A.M.

First Pastor of the 2nd Church in Ipswich

Graduated at Harvard College 1673

Ordained pastor of the said church in 1681

And died April 8, 1725. Aged 73

For Talents, Peity and Learning he shone

As a Star of the first magnitude.

This monument repaired 1815.

Restored 1883.'